Oregon

Edit 0 4 …
By Joey Mumpher

Oregon


Fossil Name:

  • Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Description:

  • Metasequoia, commonly named Dawn Redwood, was named the official state fossil of Oregon in 2005.
  • Metasequoia is a tree, that would have been deciduous when it was fossilized.
  • Leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters long,and would have been green.
  • The leaf cones are 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters in diameter, and they include 16 to 28 scales, arranged in opposite pairs.
  • There were approximately 3 species when the leaves were fossilized; They are: M. foxii, M. milleri, and M. occidentalis.
  • The tree was originally evergreen, but made a change to being deciduous later.

Fossil Pictures:

external image Metasequoia.jpg external image Metasequoia_occidentalis_01.jpg

Time Existed:

  • Metasequoia glyptostroboides existed approximately 5 to 25 million years ago, during the Miocene age.
  • It had a lot of modern life, supposedly all modern birds, and was filled with plant life.

Preservation:

  • Metasequoia leaves are usually preserved into rock, but there are stumps and trunks that can be
    petrified.

Why is it the state fossil?

  • Metasequoia was common in the Pacific Northwest during the Miocene age, so in honor Oregon named it their state fossil in 2005.

Sources:

Mccoy, Erin. "Oregon State Fossil." State Symbols USA - official state and national symbols, emblems, icons. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. Retrieved from: <http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Oregon/Fossil_Metasequoia.html>.

Brand, Mark. "Metasequoia glyptostroboides." UConn Plant Database. University of Connecticut, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2012. Retrieved from: <http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/m/metgly/metgly1.html>.